Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
One time President General of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Professor Joe Irukwu, is dead.
The 89-year-old elder statesman and Insurance guru, died Sunday, according to his son, Pastor Agu Irukwu.
Meanwhile, Abia State Government has expressed grief over the passage of the former Ohanaeze helmsman.
Gov. Alex Otti in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Kazie Uko, said Irukwu’s exit was a monumental loss to Abia State.
The statement described Irukwu who hailed from Item in Bende Local Government Area of Abia State, as an illustrious son of the state.
Gov. Otti condoled with Irukwu’s family and the people of Item as well as the entire state over the loss.
The statement made available to Ikengaonline read: “Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, has received with regret and sadness the news of the death of Chief (Prof) Joseph Ogbonnaya Irukwu, SAN, OON, a former President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.
“Governor Otti, on behalf of his family and people of Abia State, commiserates with the family, immediate community (Amokwe Item), the entire people of Item Okpi and Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide on the loss of this illustrious son of Abia State and Nigerian statesman.”
The statement further said: “Otti recalled the giant strides and indelible footprints that Prof Irukwu left behind in the insurance sector, among which are his record as the pioneer Managing Director of Nigeria Reinsurance Corporation and founder of African Development Insurance Company.
“These and other accomplishments as a consummate lawyer, lecturer and author of several books on insurance earned Prof Irukwu the sobriquet, ‘Mr. Insurance,’ according to the Governor.
“While thanking God for blessing Abia with the calibre of Prof Irukwu’s person and the life he lived, Dr. Otti urged the family to find comfort in the legacies the late nonagenarian left behind.
“The Governor prayed for the repose of the soul of the former leader of the apex Igbo socio-cultural and political organisation, Ohanaeze, and promised that Abia will work with the other South-East states and his family to ensure that the late insurance icon is given a befitting burial.”
Ikengaonline recalls that Professor George Obiozor, also a President General of Ohanaeze, died in office last year.
